Israel intends to summon the South African ambassador for
clarifications, after South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry
announced on Saturday that products produced by Israeli companies in
Judea and Samaria (Shomron) cannot be labeled as products of Israel.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor announced on Saturday evening
Israel’s intention to summon the South African ambassador, adding
that Israel will act in the coming days to have the announcement,
issued by Minister Rob Davies, cancelled.

“This is singling Israel out on a clearly political basis,” said
Palmor. “This decision has racist characteristics. The Government of
South Africa does not clarify in the new regulation what is defined
as made ​​in Judea and Samaria. The EU has a list and clear criteria to
distinguish between products made in Israeli settlements and those
that are not. The vague phrasing in the South African regulation
shows that there are no clear criteria and therefore it will hurt
Israeli products in general. "

The announcement follows a year-long campaign by pro-Palestinian
Authority groups.

Denmark is planning a similar step, and will mark all products from
Judea and Samaria with a special sticker. A minister explained the
policy aims to give customers “full information” regarding products’
origins.